Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Admiral J. R. Veitch, Royal Navy, who, as a 13 year old Mate, was severely wounded in the face at the storming of Acre in 1840

Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Syria (James R. Veitch, Mate); Baltic 1854-55, unnamed as issued; St. Jean D’Acre 1840, silver, plugged and fitted with a ring suspension, edge nicks and contact marks, generally very fine (3) £1,800-£2,200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The James Fox Collection of Naval Awards.

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James Richard Veitch was born on St. Mary’s in the Scilly Isles in September 1827, the son of Captain James Veitch, R.N., and entered the Royal Navy as an apprentice Mate in H.M.S. Hastings in 1840, aged 13 years. Subsequently actively employed in the Syrian Campaign, he was severely wounded in the face at the storming of Acre, partially losing the sight of one eye (Medal & clasp).

Veitch’s subsequent seagoing appointments as a Lieutenant included employment on the Pacific Station in Inconstant (1847-50); the Penguin (1850-55); and in the Arrogant (1855-57), including a turn of duty in the Baltic (Medal). His obituary notice in The Times also credits him with the award of the ‘Medal from the Turkish Government.’ Having then been advanced to Commander in May 1857, he served in the Boscawen (1858-60) and the Revenge (1861-62), in which latter year he was promoted to Captain.

Placed on the Retired List in April 1870, Veitch received further advancement, being appointed Rear-Admiral in March 1878, Vice-Admiral in July 1884 and Admiral in December 1888. He later served as Governor of Walton Prison, Liverpool.